Parenting for Teenagers
A steady seller loved for 20 years
The revised edition of "Teenagers in Crisis, Teenagers in Opportunity" has been published!

〈The following content has been added to the revised edition!〉

★ To think more deeply about and apply the contents of each subject
Questions for Reflection and Discussion ★

Q.
Do your children fully understand their own sinfulness? Do they realize how much they need Jesus' help and the help of fellow believers?

Q.
Is your parenting goal to encourage your child to be honest about themselves? What role model are you setting to help them do so? Are you afraid to be honest with your child about your own mistakes? What mistakes can you honestly admit to your child today before asking for forgiveness? How will you model repentance?

★ The question that parents of teenage children are most curious about
14 Questions and Paul Tripp's Answers
Paul Tripp's Parent Counseling Center ★

Q.
These days, teenagers hide apps, content, and messages on their smartphones.
Should I restrict my child's use of these devices? Do teenagers have a right to privacy? Or should I secretly monitor them to protect them?

Q.
How should we teach our teenagers about God's plan for relationships and marriage? Today's teenagers are hearing messages from their peers and popular culture that are diametrically opposed to the Gospel.

Q.
I recently discovered that my child was viewing pornography and obscene material.
How should we view this problem? How can we prevent pornography from being viewed at home?

The purpose of this book is to convey opportunity and hope.
Now is the time for us to emerge from the pit of cynicism and fear, to raise our children anew, and to come into the light where we can carry out the plan God has for us.
And this book is filled with goals and practical methods for action and change that you can implement right away.
You will be convinced that the truths of the Bible can be applied effectively to teenagers just as they can to everyone.
--- 「Chapter 1.
From "Are You a Teenager in Crisis or a Teenager in Opportunity?"

We must reject all of our culture's pessimism about adolescence.
When we do this, adolescence becomes a time of unprecedented opportunity, rather than a time filled with unmanageable and exhausting conflicts.
This is also the golden age of parenting, when you can begin to reap the fruits of all the seeds you have sown in your children's lives, preparing them to embrace the truth deep in their hearts and lead meaningful, God-fearing lives as mature adults.
--- 「Chapter 1.
From "Are You a Teenager in Crisis or a Teenager in Opportunity?"

Puberty is not a time when you can simply get through it safely.
It is a time when we must approach with hope and a sense of mission.
During this time, almost every day is filled with new opportunities to bring kind help, hope for the future, and true truth to our children's lives.
We must not allow our relationships with our children to become increasingly distant.
This is the time when you can form a more intimate relationship than you have ever had before.
So this is a really good time of opportunity.
--- 「Chapter 1.
From "Are You a Teenager in Crisis or a Teenager in Opportunity?"

If you raise your children with the idea that their obedience is your right, it's easy to impose your identity on them.
When we begin to demand a certain way for our children, we can only experience the joy of accomplishment or success when that is achieved.
Then you will start to see your children as your own trophies rather than as God's creations.
They secretly want their children to be at the forefront of their lives as evidence of their own success.
When our children fail to meet these expectations, we find ourselves getting angry at them and fighting against them, rather than grieving for them and fighting for them.
In fact, we are sad about ourselves and our failures.
--- Chapter 2.
From "Whose idol is blocking change?"

Parents are merely servants to carry out His plan.
It is just a tool used by his hands.
The meaning of our existence as parents lies in God Himself and His calling to us, not in our children and their success or failure.
Their rejection and disobedience should not grieve us because they reject and disobey us, but because they reject and disobey God.
--- 「Chapter 2.
From "Whose idol is blocking change?"

The goal of parenting teenagers is not to focus on getting them to behave properly, but to change their hearts.
We must always strive to be used in God's work, which reveals His heart.
Why did John, always so energetic, end up getting such poor grades? We need to realize that his academic environment serves as a gateway into his inner thoughts and motivations.
We need to examine what our minds desire that causes us to waste time studying on things that are not very important.
We also need to look at how the child excuses his irresponsibility.
In this way, the reactions and changes of the mind are what interests us.
Because we know that what rules your mind rules your life.
--- 「Chapter 3.
What is a family? - Definition

The family is a theological community.
So we must teach our children that every moment of their lives is God's time.
There is always a higher purpose in life than personal happiness.
There is a story of God that is more important than your own story.
And we are called to trust and obey God in all circumstances.
Christian families should not think theologically only on Sundays.
--- 「Chapter 4.
What is a Family? - Roles

Go to your children.
Express your love for them every day.
Don't ask questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no."
Ask for lengthy descriptions and explanations and for them to express their feelings.
Don't ask such questions only when you are disciplining.
Don't just approach them when you've done something wrong.
Always try to teach the right thing and encourage them often.
Pray with your children every day.
Even if it makes your children uncomfortable.
--- Chapter 5.
From “Parents, Meet Your Children”

We must not get caught up in wasteful arguments that fail to open our children's eyes, but stand firm, strong, and patient, lest they become more defensive and withdrawn.
We must take advantage of every opportunity to reveal serious issues of the heart with the love of Christ and a humble reliance on Him.
And we must help teenagers look at themselves through the mirror of the Bible.
--- 「Chapter 5.
From “Parents, Meet Your Children”

We must teach them to ask the Bible how it judges what they are thinking.
Children should be taught to view everything they experience in life from a biblical perspective.
The goal of parenting is to enable them to think and act wisely in all situations through a solid biblical outlook on life.
--- Chapter 7.
From “The Spiritual War Currently Happening”

Let them realize your love and devotion.
Make sure they know that the conversation you are having with them is not about finding out what is wrong and why to punish them, but rather about helping them discern what is right and do it.
--- Chapter 8.
From “Faith and Wisdom”

God's plan is for us to be His instruments in raising biblically mature children.
Then, our mature children will be ready to face life in a fallen world, to be the light and salt of the world, and to contribute to the work of God's kingdom, and they will no longer need the daily teaching and guidance we have given them for so long.
--- 「Chapter 11.
From "Leaving Home"

You must be able to forget all the pain and resentment you felt.
Even if it happens over and over again, you must be able to forgive your children again.
You must not be merely a person who gives orders, a person who finds fault, or a person who passes judgment.
We must present God's lofty standards to our children with a patient heart of love, compassion, and grace.
And we must be people who speak carefully, make promises carefully, and always speak the truth.
So we must become people who our children can completely trust.

--- 「Chapter 13.
From “The First Step Towards a Big Change”